On August 1, you met me at one of the lowest periods of my last. During the past several months, we have shared hours of conversations, laughed and shared our lived. The past 12 months have been a period of transformation and reflection. During this period, I focused on Psalm 37. When I wanted to strike back, I withheld, when I wanted to give in, I stood firm on His Word, when I wanted to hate, I sent forth love and always trusted God's guidance.
Often, It was difficult not to take matters into my hands. Today, words from this passage have been revealed and have come truth. Instead of sharing selected verses, I am providing the entire passage.
Why I am sharing Psalms 37 with you today. Yesterday "karma" came up in our conversation. Later, I thought about its meaning and variations....you will reap what you sow.
During my darkest period last summer with Cedar Valley College and the Math Department, a friend recommended that I read and focus on Psalm 37. I read the passage; however, I wanted to take things into my own hands. Today, I have witnessed those who meant me harm suffer. Although, I don't rejoice in their suffering, I know that God's revenge is always more powerful than mine.
If you don't have time to read the entire passage of Psalm, read versus 1-18. I am delighted that you share part of my life and hold a special space in my heart.
Lovingly Yours,
Jennie V.
Psalm 37
New King James Version (NKJV)
The Heritage of the Righteous and the Calamity of the Wicked
A Psalm of David.
1.Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
3. Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4. Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5. Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
6. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
7. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.
9. For evildoers shall be cut off;
But those who wait on the Lord,
They shall inherit the earth.
10. For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.
11. But the meek shall inherit the earth,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12. The wicked plots against the just,
And gnashes at him with his teeth.
13. The Lord laughs at him,
For He sees that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn the sword
And have bent their bow,
To cast down the poor and needy,
To slay those who are of upright conduct.
15. Their sword shall enter their own heart,
And their bows shall be broken.
16. A little that a righteous man has
Is better than the riches of many wicked.
17. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
But the Lord upholds the righteous.
18 The Lord knows the days of the upright,
And their inheritance shall be forever.
19. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time,
And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20. But the wicked shall perish;
And the enemies of the Lord,
Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish.
Into smoke they shall vanish away.
21. The wicked borrows and does not repay,
But the righteous shows mercy and gives.
22. For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth,
But those cursed by Him shall be cut off.
23. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
24. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the Lord upholds him with His hand.
25. I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
26. He is ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed.
27. Depart from evil, and do good;
And dwell forevermore.
28. For the Lord loves justice,
And does not forsake His saints;
They are preserved forever,
But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.
29. The righteous shall inherit the land,
And dwell in it forever.
30. The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom,
And his tongue talks of justice.
31. The law of his God is in his heart;
None of his steps shall slide.
32. The wicked watches the righteous,
And seeks to slay him.
33. The Lord will not leave him in his hand,
Nor condemn him when he is judged.
34. Wait on the Lord,
And keep His way,
And He shall exalt you to inherit the land;
When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
35. I have seen the wicked in great power,
And spreading himself like a native green tree.
36. Yet he passed away,[a] and behold, he was no more;
Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found.
37. Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright;
For the future of that man is peace.
38. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together;
The future of the wicked shall be cut off.
39. But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
He is their strength in the time of trouble.
40. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them;
He shall deliver them from the wicked,
And save them,
Because they trust in Him.
There is no passion to be found playing small in settling for a
life that is less than the one you are capable of living.-Mandela
Blessed and living possibilities.-Pollard
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